Trump urges oil-importing nations to secure Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump waves after arriving on Air Force One, Friday, March 13, 2026, at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Fla. (Photo/AP)

US President Donald Trump has issued a directive urging oil-importing nations to take the lead in securing the Strait of Hormuz. Stressing that the protection of this vital energy artery should have always been a collaborative global effort, Trump committed US support to facilitate these operations. This call to action follows significant regional instability sparked by the closure of the strait on March 1, which occurred in the wake of February 28 military strikes. As hostilities intensify across the Middle East, the administration seeks a swift, unified international approach to stabilize global oil shipments and mitigate further disruption to international markets.

President Trump has urged oil-dependent nations to lead security efforts in the Strait of Hormuz.
The United States has pledged to support and coordinate with international partners to ensure maritime safety.
Regional tensions have spiked following the closure of the strait on March 1.
Recent military strikes led to significant casualties, including the death of Ali Khamenei.
Iran has engaged in retaliatory actions against multiple countries, impacting regional stability.

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that countries receiving oil through the Strait of Hormuz should take the lead in securing the strategic maritime corridor, adding that the United States would support their efforts.

In a post on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump said nations dependent on shipments through the waterway must ensure its safety.

“Countries of the world that receive oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage, and we will help — A LOT,” he wrote.

Trump added that Washington would coordinate with those nations to make sure the effort moves forward “quickly, smoothly, and well,” stressing that securing the route should have been a shared responsibility from the start.

“This should have always been a team effort, and now it will be,” he said.

Tensions rising in the region

The comments come as regional tensions escalate after Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz on March 1 following joint attacks by Israel and the United States on February 28.

The strikes have reportedly killed more than 1,200 people, including Iran’s former supreme leader Ali Khamenei, while hostilities across the region have intensified.

Tehran has since launched retaliatory drone and missile attacks targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq and several Gulf states hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure.

The Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints — handles a significant portion of global oil shipments, making any disruption a major concern for international markets.

Source: TRT